Never leave your dog in a parked car for any period of time. Dogs control most of their body temperature by panting, and when a dog becomes very hot, panting won’t stop them from overheating. The temperature inside a parked car can climb 19 degrees in less than 10 minutes, exceeding the temperature outside of the vehicle. Dogs left alone in a car can quickly dehydrate, develop heatstroke, or die. Parking in the shade or leaving the windows down won’t prevent your dog from dying in a hot car.
Residents who come across a pet in a hot car should call Mesa County Animal Services at 970-242-4646. Even if the dog appears well, it can deteriorate quickly, so take action immediately.